AAA hopeful one of U.S. future Presidents will recognize Armenian Genocide

The U.S. has a serious attitude about the Armenian Genocide issue but the foreign policy doesn't imply use of the term 'genocide' for describing the tragedy of the Armenian people in 1915. Any U.S. ambassador with uttering the words 'Armenian Genocide' would stand against the foreign policy and face immediate recall, as it happened with John Evans. Richard Hoagland cannot say he recognizes the Armenian Genocide by this very reason. However, in case the U.S. foreign policy changes and the U.S. comes to recognize the Armenian Genocide, ambassadors including the one to Turkey will be obliged to recognize it. Our goal is to achieve changes in the foreign policy and we are cooperating with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) on the issue.

The Armenian Genocide resolution to be submitted to the Congress January 30 is also an attempt to change the U.S. foreign line. The day of Holocaust will be marked throughout the globe January 27, so I do not understand why the day of the Armenian Genocide should not be marked on April 24. If a correct assessment were timely given to the tragedy of 1915 it could have prevented the Holocaust and the genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia and Darfur. We press not only for the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide but also for prevention of any genocide in any spot of the world.

As to promises, it's natural. They want to enlist support of various levels of population while the Armenian community is rather strong and influential. Nevertheless, politics should not intrude into history. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who enjoy popular support, have already announced the decision to run for President. It's too early to say who can win the race but we can suppose that an African American or a woman may be elected President for the first ever time in the U.S. history. A woman has already been elected the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Thus, everything is possible and we are hopeful that one of the U.S. Presidents will keep promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Hrant Dink's murder has finally forced Turkey to choose between the East and West. If this state is really aspired to the EU and shares western values such as freedom of speech and human rights, Article 301 should be repealed. This article can provoke violence against national minorities - Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and Kurds. I am convinced that the assassination of Agos editor Hrant Dink is a loss not only for Armenia or Turkey; it's a loss for the whole world. I am saying it with full responsibility, since Hrant Dink was commemorated in all the states where Armenian Diaspora lives. As you know, Armenians live almost everywhere. About 100 thousand people came out into the streets to bid their farewell to Hrant Dink. This proves that not all Turks are nationalists. I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that during those days Turkish press wrote about Dink as of the victim of Article 301 and the writing was courageous. Hrant Dink spoke not only about the Armenian Genocide recognition but about the rights of the national minorities and rights of Turks to freedom of speech. Dink's death is a replaceable loss and I cannot understand some politicians in Armenia and Turkey who try to profiteer in the situation. It's immoral.

As to Turkey's accession to the EU, Armenia will benefit from a European neighbor that undertook certain commitments.

It's true. It's European Turkey I suppose that the government should proceed to enlightening the rest of Turkey, especially the eastern part. In this view, I repeat, cancellation of Article 301 will be useful. It's hard to speak of any changes if an atmosphere of religious and national intolerance reigns in the state. There is, certainly, some progress. The Armenian Church on Akhtamar was reconstructed. However, if there is nothing written on it to prove this is an Armenian Church, it will mean that Turkey again tries to conceal the truth. All Armenian historical monuments that were preserved at the Turkish territory should be reconstructed with obligatory mentioning of belonging. Sometimes you can see an inscription «monument of Byzantine culture». And it's nothing but a recurrent lie.

As you know the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of America are major Armenian lobbying organizations of the United States. We take various approaches and methods and it's natural. But we have a common goal: we work for Armenia's welfare and try to draw more and more American politicians to the settlement of the Armenian problems. A new round of collection of signatures will be launched for the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues soon. After the November election some Caucus members were not re-elected. New Congressmen were elected and our joint target is to enlist support of U.S. lawmakers.